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Mid

Thailand could lose Bt70 billion tourism revenue if unrest drags to 4Q08

BANGKOK, Sept 5 (TNA) - Thailand could lose as high as Bt70 billion in tourism revenue from foreign visitors if political unrest in the country continues into the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a report issued by Kasikorn Research Center.

The report said violent demonstrations had already eroded safety confidence among foreign tourists wishing to travel to Thailand and there are signs that Thailand could lose about Bt35 billion from foreign tourists spending if the political turmoil could end this month.

If the unrest continues until the last quarter of 2008, the country is expected to lose tourism revenue from foreigners travelling to Thailand not less than Bt70 billion, it said.

Of the total projected losing revenue, about Bt20 billion would come from hotel and resort, Bt18 billion from souvenir, jewellery and handicraft, and Bt32 billion from food and entertainment, it said.

The kingdom earns about Bt600 billion annually from foreign tourists spending while staying in the country. (TNA)

enews.mcot.net

__________________
"Keeping quiet while monks and other peaceful protesters are murdered and jailed is not evidence of constructive engagement." - Arvind Ganesan, Human Rights Watch.

"I think...I think it's in my basement. Let me go upstairs and check" - M.C. Escher

Bexar County Stud

It'll all be cleared up before the high season.

If not, they'll just make up the shortfall with more Russians and Chinese.

jandajoy

Shit, I read 4008. If it dragged on that long they'd surely lose out.
Having said that it probaby will.

Mid

^^

understand that's part tongue in cheek ,

though making up shortfalls is one thing that's always confused me , opportunities lost are just that ......... lost .

Texpat

Seventy billion baht is only $2 billion. I would have expected the losses to be much greater than that.

If total annual tourist receipts are 600B, this is only a drop of 11 percent. Airports, railways, roads stuffed up -- machete wielding maniacs on the streets ... an eleven percent decline is pretty tame.

Udonite

Add in the Global credit crunch, runaway inflation, and the unrest in Thailand, you have a lethal combination.

EmperorTud

People will still come for the cheap prostitutes.

Thetyim

Which is rather a stark contrast to the official who was in tears last week announcing a 90% holiday cancellation figure.
Why do they keep feeding us this bullshit.

Texpat

Because we're incapable of independent thought and will wholly accept what is printed -- in papers, blogs, graffiti or bathroom stalls.

If it is printed, it is truth.

Camel Toe

The hotel owners are rich, they can weather the storm. The Issaners and BKK poor will be hard hit, as usual.

And what a crock! Then numbers are higher, much higher. They always lie about this stuff. After the tsunami I was in Phuket when there was a reported 30% decrease. I hardly saw a farang in two days. What I did see where hundreds of hungry hookers. Damn if I didn't feel handsome that weekend.

Mid

New tourist 'attraction'
Sun, Sep 07, 2008




BANGKOK - THOUGH some tourists have opted not to visit Thailand amid a state of emergency and anti-government protests, the demonstrators' campground has attracted one type of visitor: budget travellers.

Backpacking tourists, curious about emergency rule in the Thai capital, have toured the site in the main government complex, where 5,000 protesters have squatted in tents for nearly two weeks.

Mr Daniel, a 25-year-old from Mexico, tucked into a bowl of free bright pink sugared ice with condensed milk while showing his father around the stalls selling plastic clappers and other souvenirs for 10 baht (S$0.42).

'We just read the news and we thought it was interesting to come see how it was so we took a taxi over,' Mr Daniel, who declined to give his last name, told wire agencies.

'We're not used to this in Mexico because they (protesters) have already taken over the government offices.'

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej imposed emergency rule on the capital last Tuesday, following a night of violence between bands of protesters.

The protesters marched on the complex and set up camp on August 26, demanding Samak's resignation and refusing to budge until he stepped down.

Budget travellers from Bangkok's nearby tourist district have since then mingled in with the protesters, scooping up boxes of free food and casually observing Thai politics in action.

'We're just visiting Bangkok for a couple of days. We were at the palace and we knew there was a rally going on...so we wanted to see what it was,' said Mr Marco, a 35-year-old from Italy, who declined to give his last name.

'It looks calm at the moment. My perception as a European is that even Sunday football seems more aggressive than this,' he said, apparently unaware of the violence that flared last Monday near the site, leaving one man dead and 43 injured.

One visitor, 49-year-old John Jantak from Canada, stopped by the camp during his third visit to the kingdom. His bag was searched by guards for the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is spearheading the protests.

'I think it's a good thing to have protests, because living in a democracy people have the right to express their feelings, but in terms of demanding the government be overthrown - that goes against my democratic principles,' he said.

The protesters have accused the Thai prime minister of being corrupt and acting as a proxy for deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Despite the interest among some travellers in the protest camp, tourism officials said the number of foreign arrivals at Bangkok's international airport is down 30 per cent on average figures.

'I've noticed crowds (of tourists) have dwindled within the area of the nearby tourist district,' Mr Jantak said.

'So I think it's going to have an effect on tourism.' -- AFP

asiaone.com

chitown

Shocking. Where is this at?

chitown

I hope Mr. Daniel packed some Imodium D!!!

Mid

source : the interweb .........

bkkandrew

So funny - and 2008 was supposed to be the year of attracting 'quality' tourists at the expense of the dross!

mrsquirrel

Thing is it's been something every year for the past four or five years.

SARS, Bird Flu, Tsunami, Bird Flu, Coup, Civil unrest, strong baht.

People must really be hurting

panama hat

Oh dear, wearing political slogans (I am guessing) . . . bloody stupid

bkkandrew

Ah, yes, the annual Thai fuck-up.

For ease of planning, they ought to have each of them on a giant wheel (wheel-of-non-fortune) and give it a big spin every year!

baldrick

what are they worth now ?

Mid

Revenue collection for fiscal 2009 is worrying

Revenue collection in the fiscal 2009 is of concern although the revenue earned for this year exceeded a target, according to the Revenue Department.

Spokesman Sathit Rankasiri revealed the department managed to collect revenue for fiscal 2008 more than targeted by 50 billion baht, boosted by the increased collection from the tourism, export and banking sectors.

However, the revenue collection for the fiscal 2009, which would start in October, appeared worrying because the persistent rally by the People's Alliance for Democracy-led protesters and the State of Emergency declaration had frightened foreign tourists.

He said the hotel, tourism, transport and small- and medium-size businesses in provincial areas had been comprehensively affected by the ongoing political unrest.

So, it is believed the political turmoil would have a direct impact on the department's competence in its revenue collection for the fiscal 2009, he added. (TNA)

bangkokpost.com